Customer Reviews

Fever - The Music of Peggy Lee

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I saw this first on PBS, and fell in love with Peggy Lee (only two weeks ago!)! It has over 20 live performances (from TV and concerts), some terribly rare. All of her hits and in the "extra features" there are several rare ones, including 'Danny Boy' which is beautiful. There are interviews with her daughter and grand daughter, even Nancy Sinatra and KD Lang. Inbetween performances, is rare home video, still shots and quick scenes from performances that are NOT on this. Those scenes make you ache for a part 2 already! In this DVD, however, we see Peggy Lee with Andy Williams and Judy Garland and Bing Crosby. Small interview pieces and rehearsal segments are also included. THEN, if you can stand anymore joy--is over 30 minutes of extra stuff! An entire 'Person to Person' segment that shows her little dog and her beautiful house, a chat with Judy Garland, several more live performances (all early 50's) and a REALLY fun segment from the old show 'What's My Line'. There is even a shampoo commercial! You couldn't ask for more. I hope there is a part 2, as they showed tiny segments from live performances with Miss Lee and Ella Fitzgerald, Dean Martin, Nat King Cole, Nancy Sinatra and many more. There are clearly more of her solo, as well, which we see parts of. The DVD covers some personal stuff too, but concentrates mostly on her career from the very early 40's to 1984. This is highly recommened for her fans, and an excellent introduction to her magic, for new fans.

This is a wonderful DVD for old fans and new ones alike. Included are many early music videos for songs including "Manana," "What More Can A Woman Do?", "I Don't Know Enough About You," "Lover," and more; what appears to be an old live performance with the Benny Goodman Orchestra of "Why Don't You Do Right"; a late 1950's performance of "Fever"; a duet between Peggy Lee and Judy Garland of "I Love Being Here With You" (with special lyrics) and much more. As the other reviewer noted, there are tantalizing glimpses of other goodies such as a view of Peggy on stage with Ella Fitzgerald.

What comes through the most (aside from her awesome musical talent), in home movies, interviews, and the wonderful Person To Person segment, is the warmth and endearing quietness (maybe even shyness) of this very public star.

It left me happy and yet wanting more, satisfied and still asking "Is That All There Is?"

This recently released DVD is made by EMI/Capitol, and as Peggy's principal record label after her Decca days, their access to material is therefore superb. In a very tasteful collage with interesting narrators spanning most of her career, we have many of her very best songs plus a few surprises for me. Much is in stereo, and the image quality is satisfyingly good considering a lot came from NTSC TV programs. I never forgave the 1st edition of the New Grove Dictionary of Jazz for not rating Peggy as a jazz singer. Her musicality, phrasing, timing, improvisation displayed on this disc confirm otherwise. We are also reminded how consummate a guitarist husband Nº1, Dave Barbour really was. The one big disappointment is that coming as it does from Capitol Studios, there is not a single frame from one of the two best ever live female vocalist jazz concerts on record, her "Beauty and the Beast" album with George Shearing. [BTW the other is the Complete Ella in Berlin Concert.] A must have for all Peggy fans. The bonus tracks are nice.

This film is a truly successful look at the life and career of Peggy Lee. First saw it on PBS, and noticed the beautiful intimacy and completeness. The intelligence and taste guiding the choices of footage, taken from some wonderful sources, left an impression. Repeated viewings have only confirmed my initial experience. Even the most knowing Peggy Lee admirer will be impressed by the loving tone of the film. More than a paean, it offers a genuinely convincing portrait of a wonderful musician. Lee was more than a singer; she really created a spanking new idea of a singing musician, writing much of her material, and overseeing impeccable arrangements that were way ahead of their time. Nothing's spared in making clear the tremendous influence her master musician husband Dave Barbour had in ultimately forming Peggy's musical understanding, distinguishing every nuance with the happy wonder of their personal connection. I appreciate that part so much. People nowadays think of Lee merely as a singer. A singer no doubt, greater than we know, but what lies underneath that effortless musical breeze is what makes her contribution to American music history something extraordinary. This DVD's got it all - first-rate performance clips, a ready thoughtfulness, style, and a similar element of the pleasure of inevitableness that characterizes Peggy Lee's music. One of the few filmed bio documents I've come across that extracts every ounce. Get it with confidence, especially if you're already a Peggy Lee fan.

I had seen the special, "Fever", on PBS. At that time, I taped it. But, through a foolish error - and the fact that I had not placed a label on the tape, I taped over it. I was thrilled to be able to find it, for sale, at Amazon.com.
This is a piece of artistic history that every Peggy Lee fan should have. It is a must!
Every clip makes one remember that this is one of the sexiest and most accomplished artists of our time - or any other time. Her rendition of "Lover" makes ones blood boil with yearning and desire; "Fever" pulses with a sensuality that no other singer will ever deliver. "The Shining Sea" evokes memories of a love that is branded on the heart, forever. And, the often forgotten "Here's to You" is an anthem to love and peace, everywhere.

Terrific film. Like many viewers, I first saw it on public television. I was blown away, bought it immediately afterward, and have watched it many times since.

Her talent and ability for getting maximum results from seemingly minimum effort is amazing. K.D. Lang said, Peggy is the whole thermometer, and anyone will have to agree after viewing two of the tracks in particular: the one of her singing "Fever", from the George Gobel show, and especially the one of her performing "See See Rider", at Basin Street East - sexy and provocative as not to be believed.

Long live Peggy Lee!

My only complaint is that I want more. Peggy Lee had quite an eye for the visual when it came to performance (she was the consummate professional) and that comes through loud & clear here. What a voice-what a performer. Watch this DVD and you'll see what I mean. A great introduction to her work for people who aren't familiar.

This DVD, Fever - The Music of Peggy Lee, gives a brief history of the work of Peggy Lee. Her fans agree she was the lovliest of them all with the lovliest voice, the most tasteful styling and a great song writer. And I understand a very decent person. There is not nearly enough of her work recorded on video -- The fault of this recording is that it ends. This one presents 20 of her more successful songs, some information about her career and conversations with her coworkers.

I love this DVD/documentary. I have watched it five times and not tired of it. Such a fasinating story with excerts of great performances & great songs. Personal remembrances of family and friends. If you love, Peggy Lee, you will love this. If you know little of her, you will not be sorry to learn more!

This was a trip down memory lane for my family. We grew up listening to Peggy Lee and this DVD conjured up so many wonderful memories for my father who actually worked at Columbia Records. He watches it again and again. I purchased similar Dvd's, Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, but this was by far the best one.